New Findings on FBI’s Investigation of Hillary Clinton

A recent report from the Department of Justice Inspector’s Office has unveiled new details about the FBI’s investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, which dates back to the Obama administration.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) highlighted that a 2018 report indicated the FBI could not fully investigate Clinton’s handling of classified information.

Interestingly, just weeks later, on July 31, 2016, the FBI, under the direction of former Director James Comey, initiated a separate investigation regarding alleged collusion between President Trump and Russia.

Attorney General Pam Bondy declassified the Clinton Annex in the report and made it available to Grassley, who commented on the findings as an illustration of the FBI’s lack of thoroughness and diligence regarding Clinton’s emails.

He noted that under Comey’s leadership, the FBI left crucial evidence unexamined, which contrasts sharply with the rigorous methods employed in investigating the Trump-Russia collusion claims. Grassley expressed concern over what he described as a politically influenced decision-making process within the FBI.

The OIG report mentioned that during Obama’s presidency, the FBI failed to conduct thorough searches of eight thumb drives obtained as part of the ongoing inquiry into Clinton.

Moreover, the report pointed out that the majority of the data on these drives has never been reviewed by the FBI. This is troubling, given that previous statements from the OIG suggested a comprehensive investigation had occurred and indicated a review was essential to assess national security risks related to Clinton’s private email server.

Grassley’s office claimed that Comey decided to clear Clinton of any wrongdoing before interviewing her, and the DOJ officially recommended against any legal action by July 5, 2016.

He further emphasized the timeline of events, stating, “Just a few weeks later, the FBI launched a questionable investigation into Trump.” A press release from Grassley’s office noted that on the same day, former FBI agent Peter Strzok communicated with Lisa Page about the importance of maintaining a particular narrative.

Grassley’s team also indicated that the Obama administration seemingly shifted focus from the Clinton investigation to protecting her candidacy.

Grassley appreciated Bondy and FBI director Kash Patel for disclosing new information, advocating for a complete investigation into the implications for national security.

Bondy praised Grassley for his commitment to transparency and accountability, assuring that the DOJ is dedicated to supporting congressional efforts in these areas.